A side-by-side comparison of BMO SIA Focused North American Equity Fund ETF Series (ZFN) and Purpose Core Dividend Fund Series ETF (PDF) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ZFN | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -8.79% | +14.84%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.24%✓ | +0.11% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.38% | 0.00%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -4.77% | -2.65%✓ |
| Current Price | $57.48 | $44.03 |
| AUM | $203M | $246M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.51% | 2.82%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2018-12-06 | 2013-09-03 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | North American Equity | North American Equity |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.40 |
| 52-Week High | $67.51 | $45.46 |
| 52-Week Low | $56.56 | $35.74 |
| 50-Day MA | $60.36 | $44.89 |
| 200-Day MA | $61.91 | $42.23 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZFN | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -8.79% | +14.84%✓ |
| 1 Year | -6.50% | +21.24%✓ |
| 3 Year | +14.38% | +20.88%✓ |
| 5 Year | +9.34% | +11.60%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +9.58% |
| 1Y Volatility | 17.76% | 9.96% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.76 | 1.74 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | PLTR | Palantir Technologies Inc. | 6.32% |
| 2 | MS | Morgan Stanley | 6.08% |
| 3 | BNY | The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation | 6.07% |
| 4 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 6.03% |
| 5 | RTX | RTX Corporation | 6.02% |
| 6 | GM | General Motors Company | 6.02% |
| 7 | MFC | Manulife Financial Corp | 6.00% |
| 8 | NA | National Bank of Canada | 5.94% |
| 1 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 6.57% |
| 2 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 5.71% |
| 3 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 5.18% |
| 4 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 4.72% |
| 5 | MFC | Manulife Financial Corp | 4.37% |
| 6 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 3.98% |
| 7 | POW | Power Corporation Of Canada | 3.50% |
| 8 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 3.20% |
| 9 | WCP | Whitecap Resources Inc. | 3.03% |
| 10 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 2.88% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZFN | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.32% | 4.25% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 3.27% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.32% | 6.50% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 2.57% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 14.46% |
| Financial Services | 36.67% | 41.75% |
| Healthcare | 6.90% | 8.72% |
| Industrials | 14.32% | 7.21% |
| Real Estate | 7.10% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 21.38% | 7.06% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 4.20% |
About ZFN
NA
About PDF
Purpose Core Dividend Fund Series ETF (PDF.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZFN and PDF are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, PDF scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ZFN and PDF?
ZFN (BMO SIA Focused North American Equity Fund ETF Series) and PDF (Purpose Core Dividend Fund Series ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($203M vs $246M), dividend yield (0.51% vs 2.82%), and year-to-date performance (-8.79% vs +14.84%).
Is ZFN better than PDF?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZFN and PDF on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZFN and PDF should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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